In terms of smart TVs, Apple TVs are among the most widely used. After settling in for a few hours of your favorite material, the TV’s sluggishness can be really annoying.
Why is my Apple TV Lagging?
A slow Apple TV could be the result of a number of factors, including a sluggish network connection, an out-of-date TV firmware, or a clogged app cache. It’s also possible that your Apple TV has to be reset, that you have too many apps installed, or that you are attempting to play material at too high of a resolution.
If your Apple TV is running slowly, you’ll find out why and how to fix it in this article.
Causes of Lagging in Apple TVs and Solutions to fixing them
Poor WiFi Connection
Apple TVs can only stream reliably over a strong WiFi connection. Having a reliable internet connection is still required even when viewing live material.
A poor internet connection on your Apple TV could be caused by:
- Slow WiFi speed
- Over-reliance on the WiFi network
- Obstructions between your Apple TV and the WiFi router
Apple recommends internet speeds of:
- At least 8 Mbps for 1080p HD content
- At least 6 Mbps for 720p content
- At least 2.5 Mbps for SD (standard definition) content
Check your connection speed with this convenient web tool.
While most routers will far exceed these benchmarks, slow connections can cause problems. If your WiFi connection is always slow, you may want to look into a more expensive service.
You can also connect your Apple TV to your network using an Ethernet connection.
Connecting too many devices at once can reduce the throughput of your WiFi network. Your network’s linked devices may surprise you if you’ve never taken a look. Devices such as computers, tablets, and smart speakers are included.
Disconnecting unused gadgets may help fix the problem.
If your Apple TV is experiencing lag, it may be fixed by ensuring there are no physical barriers between it and your WiFi router. You might try moving your router closer to the TV if the signal is weak due to obstacles like heavy furniture or walls.
Outdated Apple TV Software
Have you recently updated the software on your Apple TV? Your TV may have out-of-date firmware if you’re experiencing latency. By fixing issues and minimizing unpleasant hiccups, firmware updates improve your TV’s overall performance.
Apple TVs can be updated automatically or manually.
Here are the actions you need to take to update the software on your TV:
- Choose System, then Software Updates, and finally Update Software from the menu on your remote.
- Checking for updates’ availability is now possible.
- In that case, select the Install option.
- A normal TV signal should resume after only a few minutes of this operation.
- An Overabundance of Video Quality
High Video Resolution
With an Apple TV, viewers may select the optimal video quality for their viewing pleasure. If your WiFi connection isn’t the strongest or most consistent, choppy video may be the result of choosing too high of a resolution.
Here’s how to change the resolution on your TV:
- Use your remote to go to Settings.
- Select Audio and Video settings, and then Format.
- Select Other Formats, and adjust your resolution accordingly.
Your App Caches Are Full
Having an Apple TV that’s been around for a while increases the likelihood that your app caches are already at capacity. A streaming app learns as you use it and stores data to improve its efficiency.
A sluggish TV is often the result of an overfull app cache, but this is an easy problem to fix. You can make the program work as well as new and maybe speed up the operation of your TV by erasing it, downloading it again, and signing in.
Too Many Apps Downloaded
The internal storage capacity of the Apple TV ranges from 32GB to 64GB. There is a limited amount of space on your TV, and if you install too many apps, your TV may slow down.
If you are prepared to get rid of the software you don’t use, you can easily fix this problem. If you want to get rid of some apps on your Apple TV, you can do it as follows:
- Access the TV’s configuration menu by navigating to that menu.
- The General menu is where you’ll want to start, followed by Manage Storage.
- Your available space and a rundown of your installed programs will now be displayed.
- In the event that your TV is still sluggish after removing unnecessary apps, it may be time to replace the device.
Your Apple TV Needs a Reset
A sluggish playback experience is a sign that your Apple TV needs a reset, either soft or hard. Soft resetting, also known as power cycling, involves switching off your TV, removing the plug from the wall, and then turning it back on. Minor issues, like lag, are often resolved by doing this.
But if it doesn’t work, you might have to execute a hard reset (also called a factory reset). When you perform a hard reset on your Apple TV, it will return to its factory settings, erasing any content you may have downloaded or saved.
Doing a factory reset on an Apple TV entails:
- Find the section labeled “Settings” on the main screen and select it using the remote.
Click System, then click Reset. - Once you’ve confirmed that you wish to reset the TV, it’ll take a few minutes to complete the hard reset.
- The delay should stop after this.
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